The Caray family has a long lineage in the baseball broadcasting world. When Chris Caray became one of the voices of the previously named Oakland Athletics, the familiar last name came with some weight.
“I think that there is pressure,” Chris said on the latest episode of Short and to the Point. “I think people make it out to be more pressure than it is, right? You know, I’m a very cerebral kind of – overthinking type of person anyway. To have this name is a blessing and it is a curse and I think people forget about the fact that it can be a curse because there are a lot of people that want to see you fail.”
The family tree’s history began with Hall of Fame broadcaster Harry Caray who called games for the St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago White Sox and Chicago Cubs. Harry’s son, Skip, was behind the microphone for the Atlanta Braves. Skip’s son, Chip – and Chris’ father, is a broadcaster for the Cardinals. Stefan, Chris’ twin brother is a prominent voice in the minor leagues.
“There are a lot of people that pass judgment on you before they even know you, and then when you prove them wrong, you have to work twice as hard to do so,” Chris added.
It’s been a pressure since he was four years old. That’s at least when he could remember someone patting him on the head and saying they looked forward to watching him follow in the family’s footsteps.
“It’s almost like it was planted into my brain from a very young age, but it had its positives and it’s had its negatives, and you know that desire and that fuel allowed me to get where I wanted to go, probably a lot sooner than a lot of people expected.”
Chris was able to share the moment with his dad in 2024 when the A’s hosted the Cardinals.
Chip was in one booth, Chris in the other. A special moment.
“And you know, that was a very special moment for me, and also it was Jackie Robinson Day. Everything came together in the right way.”
About Jessica Kleinschmidt
Jess is a baseball fan with Reno, Nev. roots residing in the Bay Area. She is the host of "Short and to the Point" and is also a broadcaster with the Oakland A's Radio Network. She previously worked for MLB.com and NBC Sports Bay Area.